Sleep Apnea

Aurora ENT

Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor located in Anchorage, AK

Sleep Apnea Specialist

Sleep apnea — a condition in which breathing stops for brief periods of time during sleep — can be caused by enlarged tonsils, enlarged adenoids, or the anatomy of the throat. Aurora ENT work to identify the underlying cause and create a customized treatment plan for sleep apnea patients in the Anchorage, Alaska area.

What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?

Many people find out they have sleep apnea based on the observations of their partners, who notice that they stop breathing periodically throughout the night and might “startle” back into breathing. Other signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:

Loud snoring

Shortness of breath at night

Fatigue: Falling asleep during the day

Irritability, mood changes

Dry mouth

Difficulty sleeping at night

Sore throat

Lack of concentration, focus

Headaches in the morning

What causes sleep apnea?

In the vast majority of cases, sleep apnea is caused by an obstruction of the throat. This obstruction can be caused by a variety of different conditions, including excess tissue in the throat, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, nasal inflammation, or relaxing of the throat and tongue muscles.

Who is at highest risk of developing sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is more likely to affect men than women. Other risk factors include being overweight, having a large neck circumference, having a family history of sleep apnea, smoking, and drug and alcohol use, including sleeping medications.

What complications can result from sleep apnea?

Untreated sleep apnea can increase the patient’s risk for severe complications, including high blood pressure, heart attack, arrhythmias, type 2 diabetes, risks associated with general anesthesia, liver function problems, and metabolic syndrome. In addition, the loud snoring associated with sleep apnea can result in relationship and social problems.

When is treatment necessary?

Because sleep apnea is associated with so many potential complications, treatment should be sought as soon as sleep apnea is suspected. Early diagnosis and intervention can decrease the risk of serious complications.

I understand and agree that any information submitted will be forwarded to our office by email and not via a secure messaging system. This form should not be used to transmit private health information, and we disclaim all warranties with respect to the privacy and confidentiality of any information submitted through this form.